Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani — featuring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead roles — has been receiving much love from fans. From Ranveer-Alia's chemistry to the catchy songs, the Karan Johar directorial has ticked all the boxes. There is one particular scene in the film that has caught the attention of fans. We are talking about Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi's kiss sequence. In the scene, the two come face-to-face after years and time stands still. A few seconds later, Dharmendra sings the all-time classic hit Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar and seals the moment with a kiss. The track, from Dev Anand's film Hum Dono, was sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi. Now, Dharmendra has opened up about the scene in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The veteran actor told News18, “I am hearing that Shabana and I have surprised the audience with the kissing scene, and at the same time they have even applauded it. I think people weren't expecting it and it came very suddenly which is why it created an impact. The last time I did a kissing scene was in Life In A Metro with Nafisa Ali and at that time too people had appreciated it."
Dharmendra added, “When Karan [Johar] narrated the scene to us, I did not get excited. We [Shabana Azmi, Karan Johar and Dharmendra] understood it and I realised that it was something that the film required and wasn't forcefully put in and I said I will do it. Also, I believe there is no age for romance. Age is just a number and two people irrespective of age will show their love for each other by kissing. Shabana [Azmi] and I both did not feel any kind of awkwardness while doing it.”
Dharmendra also gave a shout-out to Karan Johar for making such a “fantastic film”. He said, “Karan has made a fantastic film and he is such a good director. It was my first collaboration with him and I thoroughly enjoyed it. All the actors have performed really well. Ranveer [Singh] is terrific and Alia [Bhatt] is such a natural actor. Shabana [Azmi] is great in the film and so is Jaya [Bachchan] who I always refer to as my Guddi"
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani's dialogue and co-screenplay writer Ishita Moitra has also shared her thoughts on Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra's kiss scene in the film. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Ishita said that the kiss was “always there in the script.”
“People couldn't believe a kiss was coming. The kiss was always there in the script. Karan made sure that the kiss would be done in a very dignified way. I don't think any of them had any issues,” she was quoted as saying.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was released on July 28. The film marked Karan Johar's return as a director after seven years.